Postgraduate Course: Political Ecology (GEGR11001)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The seeming intractability and growing urgency of current environmental crises have prompted a number of critiques of mainstream environmentalism and sustainability. This course therefore explores the problems and limitations of mainstream thinking about the politics of nature. In particular, the course draws on the anti-capitalist theories of eco-Marxism and the post-natural philosophies of a number of influential Western thinkers. We use these concepts to work through a range of environmental problematics: wild nature; the urban green; biodiversity conservation; industrial food production; ecosystem services; geo-engineering; apocalyptic imaginaries; Indigenous naturecultures. Sessions are split between lectures and more interactive activities. We will be asking questions such as: How can we understand the relationships between culture and nature? Where and how are material and imaginary natures made? How do questions of nature become questions of power and capital? Through the course you will develop your own conceptual and political position on the politics of nature which will equip you in your future task of tackling environmental problems. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
12/01/2015 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. You will gain understanding of the critiques of mainstream environmentalism
2. You will be able to synthesise current theoretical debates and bring them into critical dialogue with real-world examples
3. You will develop understanding of how nature is produced in different settings and contexts
4. You will be encouraged to develop their own voice and way of thinking about the politics of nature |
Assessment Information
Book review: deadline 12 February 2015 (20%)
Degree Essay: deadline 26 March 2015 (70%)
Assessed class presentation (10%) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Indicative outline of class meetings:
1. The Anthropocene and the End of Nature
2. We have never been modern: Hybrid nature-cultures
3. Capitalism and neo-liberal natures
4. Chicken: Biosecurity and producing life
5. Ecosystem Services: Neoliberal environmental Governance
6. Atmosphere: Geo-engineering the climate
7. Wild: Enchantment after nature
8. Aotearoa New Zealand: Indigenous naturecultures
9. Urban green: Reconciliation ecology
10. Apocalypse! Living in the End Times |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
There is no set text book, but the following provide useful overviews.
Castree, N. (2013). Making sense of Nature. London: Routledge.
Hinchliffe, S. (2007). Geographies of nature: societies, environments, ecologies. London: Sage.
Peet, R., Robbins, P., & Watts, M. eds. (2011). Global Political Ecology. London & New York: Routledge. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR11001, Nature, environmentalism, eco-Marxism, relational, climate change, capitalism |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr William Ginn
Tel:
Email: wginn@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Lynne Mcgillivray
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: Lynne.McGillivray@ed.ac.uk |
|
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